How to start the beginning of the end of the weight struggle....

I have finally come to the conclusion that I want surgery. I am a military spouse and have Tricare insurance. Can anyone help me with the first steps in beginning the process? I have talked to my PCP *****ferred me to counselor. Not quite getting anywhere there. I found a surgeon searching online who's name is Cirangle. Apparently he takes Tricare. I'm trying to avoid military docs all together. Anyway, I'm boarderline for the surgery. My BMI is 36.6, but I have hypertension and pretty sure I have type 2 diabetes (doc sent me in for a second blood test to be sure, but the first one indicated type 2). Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Michelle- Hi- I live on Oahu, had the surgery 9 months ago in Germany (I lived there) and I can honestly say it is the smartest thing I ever did for myself. Can't help you with finding a Dr etc etc but can answer any questions you might have. Victoria

Hi Michelle, I was going to go through Dr. Paul Cirangle but after all of the tests, they wanted $4,000 before scheduling surgery. I was so upset. Anyway, I found another Dr. (Dr. Steven Fowler) at Honolulu Medical Group. No extra charges there! I have HMSA PPO and have been approved for surgery a couple of weeks ago w/ Dr. Cirangles pre-auth request. Dr. Fowler will have to submit another pre authorization for surgery. Anyway, try looking under Bariatric Surgeons on the top right of this page. It will list Dr. Cirangle but there are 8 more surgeons that will be below his name and you click on it to get there names. They just haven't registered under Obesity Help.com yet. Hope this helps! Good Luck!! Pua

Hi Michelle, I had Adjustable Lap Band Surgery 6 months ago from Dr. Brandt Lapschies. His phone numer is 955-8221. He makes you attend a free seminar before you can get an appointment. However, like Dr. Cirangle, you need to pay cash up front. Good Luck, Paula

I responded by email but I figured I'd post for anyone else having the same problems. I am a military spouse and have recently been put on a waiting list for consult/surgery. After many headaches and 3 referrals I am with Dr. Balfour. He is who I was supposed to be referred to originally but Tricare (TriWest) made a mistake and sent me to Dr. Abundo who doesn't do Gastric Bypass. I called and asked for Dr. Lapschies because he is listed on their website as being in their network, after talking with his office I found out they are No longer in Tricare's network but will accept us as patients if we can pay OUT OF POCKET for everything up to and including surgery and then file a claim for Tricare to reimburse us. I cannot afford that and don't know any military family that can so I called TriWest once again and was Finally given Dr. Balfour. He is the Only surgeon that does gastric bypass here on Oahu that is in TriWest's network. I believe you still have to pay out of pocket for things like nutrition consult and psyc eval but Tricare pays for everything else. He has a VERY long waiting list for an appt but some people have been lucky enough to get in to see him within three months time. It's just a wait and see type of thing. It all depends on cancellations and things. I've talked to quite a few of his patients and they all give rave reviews. I've been in contact with a patient who had her surgery done on June 3rd and in just about a week or two she was up walking to the grocery store and eating. For anyone with Tricare that wants surgery Tricare will only cover Open Rny and if you choose to refer out of Tripler that's it. The bariatric coordinator there is VERY nice but he tells you if you choose to refer out he can't help you after that. Tripler's surgeon is or has deployed and they are waiting on a new surgeon to come in (no one knows when or who) and so either way you go, with Dr. Balfour or with Tripler, you're going to be on a waiting list.

Hi Michelle! I read your post and wanted to let you know that I had lap rny on January 10, 2005 through Dr. Paul Cirangle. I know that paying up front can be problem, but wanted to let you know that I have HMA insurance and had to pay $6,000.00 up front, but did get $5,900.00 back from the insurance. Also, Dr. Cirangle is one of the best in his field. As far as I am concerned, he is the best. I did a lot of research prior to having my surgery and there are other doctors on Oahu, but Dr. Cirangle is not only very knowledgeable and skilled, but also truly cares about each patient. I realize it can be a hard decision, but I have no regrets in regards to having chosen him to do my surgeon. He is available 24/7 either by e-mail or cell phone. I think that's pretty awesome considering that his clinic is in San Francisco! He also has support group meetings every third Thursday at Pali Momi Hospital. You might want to just contact his office and talk with him. The girls in his office are also awesome!. The insurance specialist, Marilyn is so efficient as far as taking care of the insurance requirements and is in constant contact with you. I received my approval in no time at all. Once you make contact with his office and decide you want to go with him, you are scheduled for a phone conference with him, or he might even be here. My husband and I spent almost 2 hours on the phone with him, and he was so patient and understanding. Hope this helps! Please e-mail me if you would like to chat. Aloha, Pat 261/183/goal 115-118 (I'm only 5 feet tall)

Hi my name is Dee ..I live on Oahu and had surgery on the mainland...and I can not attend any of the support group meetings here.....but as luck would have it....I have a new job and there is another person there that had the surgery as well....her and I started an online support group at yahoo.....open to all WLS patients in the Hawaiian Islands regardless of Dr., insurance, newbies or post ops...or just looking into the surgery. We would also like to hold GT(Get Togethers) from time and live support meetings starting at least once a month and then maybe going to 2 times a month with outings (like dinners, bowling, movies, beach) here is the website to join http://groups.yahoo.com/Hawaii-OSSG Dee 7/24/2002 Lap RNY Dr. Juarez 228/145